Overhead carrier system



D 8, 19 2 w. G. WEHR 2,304,720

OVERHEAD CARRIER SYSTEM Filed March 28, 1941 2 $heets-Sheet 1 v v INVENTOR. l V/LL/AM 6. WEI-IE ATTORNEYS Dec. 8, 1942. w. G. WEHR 2,304,720

OVERHEAD CARRIER SYSTEM Filed March 28, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT OR. WILL/HM 6. 14/5/14? 754% wwr a ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 8, 1942 UNITED Y STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,304,720 OVERHEAD CARRIER SYSTEM William G. Wehr, East Cleveland, Ohio, assignor: to The Cleveland Crane & Engineering Com-- parry, Wickliiie, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application March 2a, 1941, Serial No. 385,726

' 5 Claims. (01.191-30) The present invention relates'lto electrical dis tribution systems, and, more particularly to an electrified overhead tramrail carrier system.

An object of the invention is the provision of a novel and improved electrical distribution system for electrified overhead tramrail carrier systems and the like, which distribution system will be simple and rugged in construction, easy to install, and reliable in operation, and which is-so formed or constructed that it isimpossible'fbr workmen, etc., to accidentally come incontact with energized parts of conductors, etc.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel trolley or collector for an electrical distribution system adapted to cooperate with a trolley conductor comprising a conductor bar proper enclosed, except for a space along one side, in an insulating covering and so constructed and arranged that itwill maintain proper contact with the trolley conductor at all times, even while negotiating sharp curves.

The invention resides in certain details of construction and combinations and arrange-,

ments of parts and further objects and advantages thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates from the following description of the preferred embodiment thereof described with reference to the accompanying 1 buildingor the like in which the. carrier s s'tenr drawings forming a part of this specification in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a portion of an electrified overhead tramraii carrier system embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, with portions in elevation, on the line 33 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view, with vation, on the line 4-4-of Fig. 3.

Although the invention is susceptible of embodiment in various alternative constructions, it is herein shown and described as embodied in an electrified overhead tramrail carrier system of the monorail type. For the most part the tramportions in elerail system referred to herein is commercially known in the art as. Cleveland Tramrail and only those parts which are necessary to a complete and full understanding of the invention are herein illustrated and described in detail.

Referring to the drawings, the reference character A designates generally a motor-driven, overhead carrier supported on and adapted to travel along an overhead track, including a is housed. Since the carrier A is motor-driven,

the track is electrified and comprises two or more trolleyconductors B, only one of which is shown, located on opposite sides of the monorail Ill.

The trolley conductors B are supported by the rail I0 through the medium of brackets ll coni nected to the rail in any convenient manner and to which the trolley conductors B are by insulating members I2, see Fig.4.

The trolley conductor B is similar in construction to that shown in my copending application Serial No. 295,802 and will not be described in detail herein. Suffice it to say that the, trolley connected conductor shown comprises one or more sections orlengths of conductor bar each of which comprises a metal bar-like member iii of uniform cross-section throughout its length enclosed within an insulating material or sheath l6, preferably made of soft rubber cemented or otherwise securely fixed to the metal bar l5.

e bar [5, which is preferably made of alumin is generally rectangular in cross-sectional sh peandis provided with longitudinal grooves or depressions on opposite sides thereof which,.

in addition to decreasing the weight of the bar, increase the radiating surface thereof and assist in securing the insulating covering thereto. The underside of the bar has a substantially semicircular groove therein which provides alarge concave contact surface for the collector wheels I! of the collector assemblies C hereinafter specifically referred to.- The insulating covering I6 is generally inverted U-shape in cross-section with the free ends thereof projecting'a considerable distance below thevbar l5, andhas a plural- V ity of inwardly projecting ridges adapted to cooperate with the longitudinal grooves in the sides of the bar I5 in securing the same to the metal bar. As shown, the insulating covering or sheath I6 is provided with a plurality of longitudinal. grooves into which the lower ends of members I9 utilized in supporting the conductor bars engage.

The upper side or the bar i5 is provided with an undercut non-circular aperture 20 and when 1 a plurality of sections or lengths of conductor bar are employed in making artrolley conductor, the abutting ends of adjacent conductor bars are preferably aligned and electrically and mechanically connected together by connectors including means adapted to extend into the longitudinal monorail l0 supported from the ceiling of the 55 apertures 20 in the conductor bar and be retained therein by friction. Alternatively, a plurality of longitudinal apertures may be formed edges for th' the side lie the lower portionsof the insulating sheath i6 1 makes itfpractically impossible for an operator in*each 'conductor bar, but when the conductor bars have a single longitudinal aperture therein,

the apertures must be non-circular and the'portions of the connector 'extending therein must conform at least to a portion of the non-circular apertures so as to prevent relative angular movement therebetween. The insulators [2 are the and it is my intention-to hereby cover all adap; g V

tations, modifications, and changes therein which primary insulators for the bar l5 which-is the trolley conductor proper and the sheat h l S eon "1'0 more collector stitutes a siecgnda'ry insulator.

The carrier A comprises two or I assemblies designated C,,eachcompris1ng a pair of aligned wheels I! located within a two-part housing 2| formed of insulating metenereheretatably connected to the frame R ot-the; carrier A by a bracket 23 and a resilient membe 24.

The wheels H are fixed to Pins 25;rotatably"S 1P calz-equipmentj on-thecarrier, including the trac j I tion motonismade through a conductor connected tothe lower endfof the bolt-likemember 30which is also utilized to hold th'ejtwo parts of the-mousing 2| together? "The housing/2 I "iS D Q 1 ing is swivelled'tothe bracket 23.

vided 'withiabushing -32of some suitable bearing, 2 material throughtheinedium of which the housiso H n i V V v V housing wheels rotatablysupporte'dinfisaidi-inem .-The' member 2-l th'roughthe medium j rwhih ber'andlocated at opposite sidesfof theeaxisaboiit e the collector assemblypr'oper is connected tethe'y 1 frame of-the carrier is re'ctangularin'shape and:

isi m'ade ofsprin'g steelo'r, the like, and allows a,

certain amoun't of relative movement between; the

housingr zl of thefcollector assembly and'ithe j carrie'1 -proper. *Thep'i'vot for the {frame 21 1510-; oatedbelow th a'xis of th'ewheelsj H and midway between 'the same. The wheels are 7 located very, close together andftheflexibility obtained by the];

pivot 28, the swivel connection between thehoustimes even while'the' carrier is negotiatin comparatively sharpcurves in the track,

Itf will be observed from the drawings that the upper edge or 'the'housing 2| adjacent to the ends,-

terminates" hortlibelow the lower edges of the.

insulating sheath lifotthe trolley conductor B 1- the'housing 2! project above or'over t accidentally come m contact with any parts or lt idevice includediin the electrie circuit 7 From the foregoingdescrlption of the preferred andth'at thesi'des'3 3 of, the housing 2|..thatis; eot intermediate the CIIdfPOItiOD,"

" onsrderable distance above the :lower i n sulatlnjg sheath lshg The I831; that embodiment oi the invention, it will be apparent that the objects ofrthe invention heretofore enumerated and others havebeen accomplished and that I; have provided vanimproved electrical distribution system for electrified overhead monorail carrie systems which, among other-things, is simplein constructionwand dependablelnow eratlon,;;;; and is so "formed that it is practically V impossiblejor -workmen and the'lik'e-to accidenyjncome ln contact with any of the electrical conductors proper;v The current collector is l ht in construction and the wheels are close together arttowhichthe invention relates.

' bution system including a trolley conductor; said sitioned one in advance oi the othera-nd being' closes the portions of said-member andwheels and so mounted that theyare h contact withthetrolley;

made therein within-the scope o1 this'inv'ention come; within theepractice' or 'th Se V Having thus described my. invention, I claim:

A current-collector for an electrical distrihutio'n system including a trolleyjconductor, said 'current collector comprising a housing made of insulation,a 'member pivotallysupported in said.v .=housing',-' wheels' supported by said member for I rotationiiponakes parallel to the axis of rotation .of said member and movable towards and from the trolley conductor, said wheels'being lo-j. catedz'one -in advance of theother and'adapte to engage and travel along; the: trolleycondii tel-{said housing substantially.enclosing vtlie 'por tions of said mernber and wheels which are outside of. and out cf' oontact with; saidetrolleye con ductor; and resilient means afor, supporting sai housing e 2 Aicurrent collector; to an electrical; distribution systemjincluding a. trolley conductorg said currentcollector. comprising a;hou'sin made 0' insulation; a member pivptallye.supportedgiri"sai' which said member pivots,- said'rwheels-tbeingipda;

sitioned on in .advance;,oi.;the otherxan ibeing H adapted to engage andtravel along :rthe' trolley i conductor, saidhousing, substantially:enclosing the portions .oisaid member vrand vwheels' w'hich are outside of and outof contactwith=saidtrolley conductor, a bracket member, means f 'for: swiyell members i I 3. A current collector ior an electrical districurrent-collector comprising: a housing made o! insulation, a member. pivotallyf supported-in said housin wheels rotatably supportedin saidmem her and located at opposite sides ofthe axisfabout n which saidmemberi pivots, 1 said wheels being.

adapted to engage and travel.alongthefltrolley conductor,. the end of said housing being closedand the sides thereoiv projecting above the ends and adapted to overlap a: portion of the -trolley conductor whereby;said;housingsubstantially e which are'outsideof and outof contact with sa trolley conductor, a bracket mrnber, means for swivelly connectingsaid vhousingto said" bracket and resilient means for su p t n a :2

bracket member.

4.- In an electrical distribution system compris ing' a trolley conductor an a current-collector- 2 comprising a plurality of wheels adapted to errage and travel alongsaid trolley condubt y; said? trolley conductor comprising a metallic member having a concave c ontact ,surface*and;:a cover-- 'ing of insulation enclosing thesame' ekcept'fo' the concavecontactfsurface;;-said insulating cov ering extending beyond said metallicmembe'r ad jacent to said contact surface; saidLcurrent-cdl lector' comprising a housing made.,of insulation,

a member pivotally supportedin said' housing,-'

a pair of wheels rotatably. i supported by *sai' member for rotation-about. axes paralleltof'the" ways in proper; e

gage and travel along'said trolley conductor, said M) trolley conductor comprising a metallic member having a concave contact surface and a covering of insulation enclosing the same except for the concave contact surface, said insulating covering extending beyond said metallic member adjacent to said contact surface, said current-col lector comprising a housing made of insulation, a member pivotally supported in said housing,

wheels rotatably supported in said member and located at opposite sides of the axis about which said member pivots, said housing substantially enclosing the portions of said member and wheels which are outside of and out of contact with said trolley conductor, a bracket member, means for swivelly connecting said housing to said bracket member, and resilient means for supporting said bracket member. w l WILLIAM G. WEI-IR. 

